Pro-Awami League (AL) lawyers were allegedly prevented from collecting nomination papers for the upcoming Chittagong District Bar Association election following scuffles and heated stand-offs with BNP-backed counterparts.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at the entrance of the Bar Library in the Chattogram Court Building.
The confrontation began around 3pm when a group of AL-aligned lawyers, led by presidential candidate Abdur Rashid, attempted to collect forms. They were reportedly blocked at the entrance by pro-BNP lawyers, leading to a physical altercation.
Amid the chaos, Election Commission members locked the library doors, leaving the BNP-backed group inside and the AL-backed group outside as both sides exchanged slogans.
Monday marked the final day for the collection and submission of nomination papers, with the window open from 3pm to 5pm.
While the AL-backed panel failed to secure forms, the BNP-backed Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum and Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned Bangladesh Lawyers’ Council submitted their nominations.
For the 21 available posts, the BNP-backed panel submitted 21 forms, while the Jamaat-backed panel submitted 20.
HM Zia Uddin, a former general secretary of the association and AL supporter, alleged that their members were assaulted.
“They are preventing us from participating because they fear losing the election,” he stated, adding that such an “illegal” and “partitioned” election is unprecedented in the Bar’s history. Presidential candidate Abdur Rashid maintained that they sought to contest the polls as general lawyers.
Conversely, Tariq Ahmed, the presidential candidate from the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, claimed that “AL terrorists” arrived with outsiders to create tension.
He argued that since the Awami League’s activities are banned, its supporters have no right to participate in the polls. The current President of the association, Abdus Sattar, echoed this sentiment, stating there was “zero tolerance” for those involved in past violence.
Chief Election Commissioner Rowshan Ara Begum stated that nomination forms were provided to everyone who came to collect them.
“What can we do if a party does not come to collect the forms?” she asked, noting that 42 candidates have filed nominations for the 21 posts. She expressed hope for a festive election on 21 May.
The current situation mirrors events from last year. On 13 April 2025, the BNP-Jamaat-backed panel was declared the winner uncontested for all 21 posts after other candidates were similarly prevented from submitting nominations.
In that instance, BNP-backed lawyers took 14 posts, including President and General Secretary, while Jamaat-backed lawyers secured seven positions.
